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It said: “From Monday next week, you’ll notice work starting to happen around King's Square as part of our plans to improve the area for people who live work and visit here.

“The team from Wilson Associates is carrying out early investigations, which will be used to help shape any future work that’s taking place on the site. Parts of Kings Square will be cordoned off to enable this work to happen safely for a short time. This early work will be complete by end of August.”

They have been told to vacate the premises in less than three week’s time or risk incurring high costs.

Westy's in King's Square

Carol West who has been trading for 46 years said they feel they have been “abandoned” although discussions to try find a way for them to stay have been ongoing for the past 18 months.

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council previously said: “We recognise how much Mr and Mrs West’s kiosks have been part of King's Square over the years, which is why we want to help as much as we can to allow them to continue that in the future.

"We have been in discussions with them over the last 18 months about moving from the square once the refurbishment works are underway. Mr and Mrs West confirmed via their solicitor that they intend to leave the site in September.”

What are the plans for King’s Square?

An aerial view of the reimagined King's Square

Plans revealed last year showed there would a new creative hub at King’s Houses, where the Chambers lies.

It will become a space for creative types to flex their imagination and develop events to draw people into the city.

A food court will go into the ground floor which will be filled with “local producers and local, small businesses”.

Water jets will also push up from the ground, reminiscent of the fountain that used to be in King’s Square.

Big screen TV

A view of a refurbished Kings House looking from the centre of Kings Square (Image: Gloucester City Council)

It was also announced last week that King’s Square would be getting a big screen TV for promoting events in thecity.

It was originally planned to be on a pole in front of the Post Office and Iceland, a proposal which did not sit well with the city council’s conservation officer.

Gloucester Civic Trust had also taken exception to the “screen-on-a-pole” idea , which was part of the council’s plans for King’s Quarter .

The letter in full

Letter from Reef Group in full

Dear business owner,

We’re writing to update you about what’s happening with the next steps of the regeneration of Kings Quarter.

From Monday next week, you’ll notice work starting to happen around Kings Square as part of our plans to improve the area for people who live work and visit here.

The team from Wilson Associates is carrying out early investigations, which will be used to help shape any future work that’s taking place on the site. Parts of Kings Square will be cordoned off to enable this work to happen safely for a short time. This early work will be complete by end of August.

There will be more enabling work taking place during September and October.

– OUR AIMS FOR KINGS QUARTER –

This is part of wider plans for the Kings Quarter area, which we want to transform into a new destination for cultural activities and live performances, improved retail and a hub for creative businesses.

As part of this, plans have been submitted which – if approved – will see new and improved parking provision, homes and workspace to create the vibrant attractive place in the heart of the city.

Working with Reef Group, we’re also progressing with plans to invest to improve the shopping experience, which is attracting interest from new traders. Watch this space for more updates!

– KEEP IN TOUCH –

This is the first in a series of updates we will send to local businesses over the coming months. We hope you find them useful. If you have any further questions, you can contact the team.

What do you think about the plans for King's Square? Get involved in the comments below.